" take her inside " Han Raviel ordered.
" ... "
Everyone there at the moment we're clearly stunned as they weren't expecting that.
And then noticing their hesitation, Han Raviel turned towards them " didn't you hear me? "
Mr Xu was the first to seek clarity, " L-lord Han, D-did you actually re...consider my words? "
Han Raviel didn't say yes and didn't say no either which meant...
" Ha.. " a very rare expression of real relief spread in Mr Xu's face as he bowed deeply, " Thank you, Thank you so much Lord Han, I- I am deeply grateful, I... "
" Chief butler... " Han Raviel reminded.
" Ah— " he immediately composed himself, " Apologies lord Han, and...thank you " he still repeated.
" I respect you so much Mr Xu, but I must say, this will be the last time... "
Mr Xu nodded at once, as he thought ' I would definitely make sure she behaves, so...there won't be another request like this again... '
All these while, An Liyue didn't know how to react, she simply stood frozen, still trying to process what unfolded before her.
Was-was she just pardoned?
Spared?
Wait the word ' spared ' actually existed in Han Raviel's dictionary?
An liyue couldn't believe her ears at all as she just stood rooted to the spot untill Mr Xu gently nudged her forward.
" Go in now " he urged.
She just stared at him blankly.
Could it be her late adoptive father had transmigrated into Mr Xu's body?
He was... the only warmth she had felt since entering this cold environment.
Mr Xu Nodded slowly as he gestured for her to go in and only then did she turn her head away and look at Han Raviel.
Raviel listened to him... he listened to the chief butler...
He actually did...
Right now, it could only mean one thing ...the both of them had... been through thick and thin together.
Finally, she walked inside under Mr Xu's lead.
No later did she get to her room and immediately slumped on the bed without thinking of anything about color...
In fact, if Han Raviel wanted to turn the mirror from white to black then he could go ahead, because right now, she didn't care.
She just curled up on the bed, her eyes staring into nothing exactly.
" Turn on the heater "Mr Xu instructed a servant who was about leaving which his gaze still on An liyue.
" B-but..." The servant hesitated.
" Do it... I'd take full responsibility "
Only then the servant do as instructed, at first, he had no idea if leaving the room cold was part of Han Raviel's punishment to An liyue, and so, he didn't want to fall into his own trap.
Immediately the servant left, Mr Xu walked slowly towards An liyue and held her palm, he force a smile as he said, " go to sleep now my dear "
He couldn't help but stare at her face as he thought, ' you look familiar...
however, I'm not sure yet, but until then, I will make sure that you're safe...
Han Raviel... I won't allow him make decisions he would regret....later on.
And whether you're her or not, I'll take it upon myself to take care of you...my dear '
He smiled once more as she closed her eyes and then he left quietly.
Hours later, under the dim glow of the enchanting golden chandelier, a long dinning table was set with Han Raviel sitting at the head.
He lazily looked at his wristwatch.
She should be awake by now, it's been more than 10 hours since she fell asleep and so, without looking up, he called a nearby servant.
" get her down.. for dinner "
" right away " the servant bowed and left immediately.
" Knock knock "
There wasn't a reply until he knocked again.
" Y-yes? " An liyue answered weakly.
" Miss, it's dinner time Han Raviel expects your presence at the table "
The room was quiet for some time before An liyue answered," I- I don't have an appetite... I can't... "
There wasn't an affirmation from the servant and so,
" I'm coming " An liyue answered suddenly as she realized...no choice.
Few minutes later, she got to the dining table and saw him sitting dominantly on the far end of the table.
She still couldn't believe it, she and the well-feared Han Raviel were existing under the same roof!
He gestured for her to have her seat which she did, lowering her head to avoid meeting his gaze.
She didn't open the plate and just sat in silence.
" Do you eat by staring? " Came Raviel's sarcastic voice.
" I- I don't have an appetite " she answered faintly.
" Oh, I see... "
" Mr Han, I really can't be forced right now, and even if I do try to eat... everything will be thrown up immediately after " An liyue blurted out, actually shocked at her own boldness.
And well, Han Raviel didn't seem to look angry, in fact, there was a smile on his face.
That's right had An liyue ever seen him angry?
Heh! he was always smiling.
She felt something was up... and wrong.
" I see " came his voice again, " quite bold now... "
An Liyue opened her mouth to apologize but was cut off.
" I won't force you... you may go now and come back when you're...hungry "
An Liyue : " ... "
Go?
Just like that?
Did he just spare her the second time?
She wasn't forced...
He listened to her...
An Liyue's head was in disarray.
She looked up to meet Han Raviel's gaze, " I- I can go back? "
" And come back when you feel hungry. " He added, matter-of-fact.
An Liyue felt like it was a joke, but still cautiously and slowly stood up. " Th-thanks Mr Han "
His lips curled up slightly.
And it felt deeply unsettling, An Liyue immediately left and locked herself up when she got into her room, her back pressed against the door as she replayed the moment in her head.
Spared... the second time?
She slowly walked to the bed and lay down, and then, few minutes later, sleep took over.
She was asleep for more than two hours before waking up.
She stretch and yawned lazily when a grumbling sound came from her stomach.
" Ah? " She held her stomach " I'm- I'm hungry tsk! " She had thought she was going to remain under " no appetite " till tomorrow but then, here she was feeling hungry.
Maybe Han Raviel's words earlier made her some how... better?
And so, she immediately got down and headed towards the dining area quietly, it was quite darker than before and maybe Han Raviel was already asleep, so she took her steps carefully, her mind wandering to the food which most have gone cold by now, but then anyways at least she could eat.
But the moment An Liyue got there, her knees buckled as she almost fell to the ground.
Han- Han Raviel?
He was still up?...
Okay that's not the problem...
The problem was... he was still seated there!
W-waiting for her?
" you feel hungry now? " came his voice accompanied with the smile.
" I- I ... " An Liyue was speechless.
" Have a seat, and don't worry about the food being cold... "
' Wh- what?! he had the cooks rewarm it? ' An liyue thought, but however...
" It has always been cold " Han Raviel finished.
Oh...
An Liyue took her seat, feeling more than just awkward to sit before him and eat.
But there was nothing she could do.
And then...
An Liyue lifted the silver domes covering the dishes.
And what she saw left her eyes wide opened, with no plan of retreating.
Just what! The actual! Hell!!!...